Research/Areas of Interest

Research in my lab focuses on the neurobiology of prefrontal brain regions and their
modulation by midbrain dopamine systems. In humans, prefrontal regions are critically
involved in executive functions including attention control, working memory and reward-based
learning, and the selection and regulation of flexible, goal-directed behavior. We
utilize a mouse model to study the cellular properties of cortical pyramidal neurons,
their role in cortical networks, and their modulation by dopamine. We hope to gain
insight into how these networks, when dysfunctional, may contribute to anxiety disorders
(eg. PTSD), attentional disorders (eg. ADD) and other psychiatric disorders (eg. schizophrenia).